Page 4 of Island Homecoming

“Do you need me to look up a phone number?”

“No.” She swallowed. There really was only one option, and she knew the number by heart. The phone rang twice and then her friend Gabby Ladd-Marino answered at the special security office of the Ellington Cove resort.

“Hey, Gabby. It’s Jess. I need an attorney.”

“Are you safe?”

“Yes.” Gabby’s question was a great reminder that despite the current struggle, Jess had wonderful friends.

“All right. I’m gonna need the whole story,” Gabby said, her voice relaxing. “Where are you?”

“In Georgia.” Jess provided the location and a quick rundown of the situation.

“I’ll get on it.” Gabby promised. “Gamble and Swann will know what to do.” The law partners managed the agency that had teamed up with the Cove for an innovative and effective security partnership.

“Thanks for the assist. Hey, if it looks like I won’t be out of here in time to make it home for Sunday dinner, can you give my parents a heads up, please? They’re expecting me.” Her first dinner at home in nearly two years. She couldn’t dwell on that right here and definitely not in front of the deputy.

“Sure thing,” Gabby promised. “Hang in there.”

Jess replaced the handset and looked to Miller. “What’s next?”

He smiled rather sheepishly. “You can tell me if you want a chicken sandwich or a burger for dinner.”

She did a double take. “Seriously?”

He spread his arms wide. “We’re not a big station. No cafeteria, but prisoners need food. We’re not barbarians.”

Prisoner. Jess couldn’t help laughing at the ludicrous predicament. At least the deputy seemed like a decent sort. “I’ll take the chicken.”

“With sweet tea or a Coke?”

“Sweet tea, no lemon. Please,” she added.

“All right.” The deputy smirked, at her or the situation, she wasn’t sure. “Let’s head back to lockup.”

A few hours behind bars in a clean cell that was obviously rarely used wasn’t the worst thing. Gave her time to think, though she’d rather do just about anything else. Miller dropped off her dinner and got called out again. She’d resigned herself to a night in the cell, thinking about how much crap Jenkins would give her for this, when the deputy returned.

“Time for dessert?” she asked.

“Ha, ha. Your attorney is on the phone.” He unlocked the cell, held the door wide. “Come on out to the desk.”

She appreciated that Miller didn’t bother with handcuffs, clearly trusting she wouldn’t do something stupid like run or attack him. Being innocent, the situation required patience, that’s all. Eventually the security cameras would back up her statement and this could be over.

Miller pointed to a chair and she sat, picking up the phone. “This is Keller.”

“Hello, Ms. Keller. I’m Nolan Swann. I wanted to reach out directly and assure you we have this inconvenience under control. The owner of the convenience store is cooperating, gave us access to the security videos. Naturally, the video evidence backs up your version of events.”

“Great.”

“Miller should get word from the judge to release you shortly without bail. It’s not over, but close enough.”

She wasn’t sure she wanted to know what close enough meant. If the video backed up her account, wouldn’t the charges be dropped entirely? Not the point right now. Right now, she just wanted to get back on the road.

“I hope ‘close enough to over’ means I can afford the bill,” she joked.

“Obviously there won’t be any charge.” Swann said.

“What? Seriously?” That hadn’t been so obvious to her.

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